LIFE · BMC FIELD MANUAL
Major Appliance Delivery and Installation Checklist: Measure, Inspect and Close
A refrigerator, washer, dryer, range or dishwasher is not delivered successfully just because it reaches the room. Control the model, route, condition, connections, acceptance test and paper trail before the crew leaves.
The useful answer
- Match the order, model and installation kit to the exact opening, access route, utilities, ventilation and local requirements before delivery day.
- Photograph the route, connections, packaging and all sides of the appliance before damage, signatures or haul-away erase the evidence.
- Separate delivery, installation, permit, modification, stacking, door-swing and disposal scope; a bundled price does not prove every task is included.
- Test only the functions the manual and installer say are safe to test, and write every incomplete item or exception on the delivery record before signing.
- Close the purchase with serial, receipt, warranty, EnergyGuide, installer, permit, recall and disposal records in the home inventory.
Identify the exact unit and the complete job
Start with the full manufacturer model number, finish or color code, dimensions, door and handle projection, required clearances, capacity, fuel or voltage, plug or cord status, ventilation method and any manufacturer-required kit. A family name is not enough: adjacent models can differ in size, electrical demand, hinge arrangement, included parts and installation rules. Save the product page, manual, order confirmation, paid invoice, delivery promise and retailer return or damage-report window as they existed when you bought.
Write the whole job as separate lines: delivery to room, unboxing, leveling, door reversal, water or drain connection, electrical cord, anti-tip device, gas connector, dryer duct, stacking kit, trim or filler, panel installation, permit, test, packaging removal and old-unit haul-away. Mark each line retailer, carrier, licensed trade, owner or excluded. Never assume a delivery crew may alter a gas line, circuit, shutoff, cabinet, counter, vent or drain merely because installation appears on the order.
- Brand, full model, finish code and ordered accessories: ________
- Manual revision and installation pages saved: ________
- Included, excluded and separately contracted tasks: ________
- Retailer damage, refusal and return deadlines: ________
Measure the opening and every turn in the route
Measure the finished opening at several heights and depths, not just the old appliance. Record the narrowest door, hall, stair, landing and elevator dimension on the route, plus railings, tight turns, overhead fixtures and floor transitions. Compare those constraints with the manufacturer's shipping dimensions and approved handling orientation. Confirm that refrigerator doors can open and drawers clear nearby walls, that a range door does not collide with an island, and that washer or dryer doors suit the working aisle.
Protect the route without creating a new trip hazard. Clear people, pets, vehicles and movable furniture; confirm elevator reservations, building certificates and delivery hours; and tell the carrier about stairs or long carries before arrival. Photograph existing wall, trim and floor condition. If a door, railing or appliance panel must be removed, decide who is authorized to do it and how it will be restored. Do not improvise lifting, tipping or disassembly outside manufacturer and carrier instructions.
- Finished opening width × height × depth at limiting points: ________
- Narrowest route dimension and tightest turn: ________
- Door, drawer, handle, hose and ventilation clearance: ________
- Building access, protection and authorized-removal plan: ________
Qualify utilities before the truck arrives
Use the exact installation instructions to identify the required receptacle, circuit, voltage, grounding, shutoff, supply pressure, drain height, vent material, make-up air, floor support and service clearance. Existing does not mean compatible: an outlet can be the wrong type, a dryer vent can be restricted, a valve can be inaccessible, and a drain or floor can be unsuitable. Photograph labels and connections without opening panels or touching energized, gas or pressurized equipment.
Schedule a qualified electrician, plumber, gas fitter, HVAC technician or installer when the manual, code, permit, fuel type or site condition calls for one. Confirm who supplies the cord, hoses, connector, duct, anti-tip bracket, stacking hardware or water filter and whether the manufacturer requires a specific part. If a shutoff leaks, a cord or receptacle is damaged, grounding is uncertain, gas is smelled, or a connection does not match the manual, stop and move the job to the appropriate professional.
- Required utility and exact existing connection: ________
- Manufacturer-required kit, part number and supplier: ________
- Permit, building approval or qualified trade required: ________
- Unsafe or incompatible condition that stops installation: ________
Inspect before the packaging disappears
On arrival, match the carton and rating-plate model to the order before the old unit is removed. Photograph unopened packaging, impact indicators if present, and all accessible sides as wrapping comes off. Look for crushed corners, punctures, bent frames, cracked glass, uneven gaps, damaged cords or hoses, missing accessories and finish damage under good light. A cosmetic mark and structural damage are not the same claim, but both need an exact location, image and written notation.
If the wrong model arrives or damage may affect safe installation, sealing, cooling, water containment, combustion, electrical protection or structural integrity, pause acceptance and contact the retailer through the order channel. Do not let scheduling pressure turn a visible problem into an undocumented promise. Record whether the unit was refused, accepted with a written exception, left uninstalled or replaced, and get the representative's name and case number. Do not rely on a driver's verbal assurance that someone will call.
- Carton and rating-plate model matched to order: ________
- Packaging and six-side condition photographs saved: ________
- Missing part or damage location and severity: ________
- Refusal or exception wording, case number and owner: ________
Accept installation by scope and observable function
Compare the finished work with the installation instructions and agreed scope. Check that the appliance is stable and reasonably level; doors, racks and drawers operate; required restraints, vents, filters and panels are present; hoses and cords are routed without obvious crushing or sharp bends; and surrounding surfaces remain intact. Do not remove guards, enter service modes or test gas, live electrical or concealed plumbing work yourself. Ask the installer to explain the completed connections and any item not performed.
Run only the initial checks authorized by the manual and installer. That may mean powering on, confirming controls, observing a short fill and drain, verifying a light or fan, checking that a door seals, or waiting the specified time before judging temperature. Look and listen for leaks, rubbing, unusual movement, fault codes or combustion concerns. Write incomplete work and exceptions on the delivery document before signing, retain a copy, and do not sign a statement that contradicts what you can observe.
- Installed scope compared with manual and invoice: ________
- Authorized initial functions observed: ________
- Leak, movement, fault, finish or property exception: ________
- Installer name, license if applicable, signature and follow-up: ________
Build the ownership record and close the old unit
Add the receipt, delivery record, model and serial number, manual, EnergyGuide label when applicable, installer invoice, permit or inspection, warranty terms and service contacts to the home inventory. The yellow EnergyGuide label is an estimate for comparing energy use and operating cost under standardized assumptions, not a promise of a particular bill. Read the written warranty and any service contract separately; the FTC distinguishes a warranty included with a product from a service contract sold for an additional charge.
Register only through the manufacturer's verified route when useful, keep purchase proof, and check the exact model in the CPSC recall database now and during ownership. Follow the manual's first-day and maintenance instructions, then calendar filter, hose, vent, seal or cleaning reviews that apply. For a retired refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier, use a program that handles refrigerant and hazardous components responsibly; EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal resources explain why curb disposal may not be enough. Close the case only when defects, credits, property damage, missing work and haul-away receipts are resolved in writing.
- Serial, receipt, warranty, EnergyGuide and installer records filed: ________
- CPSC exact-model recall search date and result: ________
- Maintenance and service-contact calendar created: ________
- Old-unit refrigerant, recycling or disposal receipt: ________
Frequently asked questions
Should I sign if the appliance is damaged but the driver promises a replacement?
Record the exact damage and exception on the delivery document, photograph it, retain a copy and contact the retailer through the order channel before deciding whether to accept. A verbal promise is not a substitute for the retailer's written damage and return process.
Does appliance installation include electrical, plumbing or gas changes?
Not necessarily. Delivery, hookup, modification, permit and licensed-trade work are separate scopes. Compare the exact invoice with the manufacturer instructions and local requirements before the visit.
Is the EnergyGuide label a guarantee of my energy bill?
No. It provides standardized comparison information and an estimated operating cost based on stated assumptions. Actual use, utility rates, settings, loads and conditions vary.
What records should I keep after delivery?
Keep the paid receipt, delivery and exception record, full model and serial, manual, EnergyGuide, warranty, service contract if any, installer and permit records, photographs, case numbers and disposal receipt in the home inventory.
Sources and further reading
Claims checked against these official or professional sources on October 20, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission — WarrantiesFederal guidance on written warranties, pre-sale availability, implied warranties and service contracts.
- Federal Trade Commission — How To Use the EnergyGuide Label To Shop for Home AppliancesOfficial explanation of EnergyGuide comparison information and estimated operating cost.
- Consumer Product Safety Commission — RecallsOfficial database for exact-product recall searches and remedy instructions.
- ENERGY STAR — Energy Efficient ProductsFederal appliance-efficiency resources and links to category-specific product information.
- EPA — Appliance DisposalCurrent federal guidance on refrigerant recovery, hazardous components and responsible appliance disposal.
- EPA — Homeowners and Consumers: Refrigerant FAQsFederal consumer guidance on refrigerated appliances, end-of-life handling and refrigerant management.